Personal sleep environment

ABSTRACT

A sleeping chamber apparatus for mounting over a bed to isolate a sleeping space from a room environment has a headboard joined to a footboard by a U-shaped enclosure. The enclosure comprises a pair of spaced-apart, vertical side panels joined together and integral with a horizontal cover panel. The headboard, footboard and enclosure fully enclose and seal the sleeping space when the apparatus is positioned over the bed with the headboard positioned at a head of the bed and with the footboard positioned at a foot of the bed, and with the side panels positioned along sides of the bed in contact with an up-facing surface of the bed. A head manifold and a foot manifold bring air into and drive air out of the sleeping space. An air conditioning machine engages with the head manifold drawing in room environment air and delivering conditioned air to the head manifold.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

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REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”

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SEQUENCE LISTING

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Present Disclosure

This disclosure relates generally to apparatus for controlling a personal environment, and more particularly to an apparatus for controlling a sleeping environment, specifically related to a bed.

2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

Frykman, U.S. 2004/0250481, discloses a human sleeping chamber for use in areas where either space is minimal, where additional soundproofing or privacy is desired or where the chambers may be temporarily placed due to inherent portability. The chambers feature a durable, soundproof, and weatherproof outer shell, encasing a mattress and various comforts desired in an overnight accommodation. The chambers may be adapted for permanent to semi-permanent placement, or for portability, such as for the back of vehicles or as temporary shelter in cases of emergency. The preferred embodiments also feature ventilation, heating and cooling systems.

Rezazadeh, U.S. Pat. No. 3,923,134, discloses a rest and sleeping accommodation compartment and a centrally monitored complex of such compartments, suitable for use outdoors along major highways and near metropolitan areas, and also indoors at train and bus depots, airports, etc. Each compartment is composed of prefabricated panels which can be quickly assembled or disassembled at the site of use. A user obtains access to a compartment by depositing coins in a coin receiver which unlocks the door to the compartment. Once inside, the user is provided with a bed, table, chair and other facilities for his comfort and convenience. The amount of time a user may properly remain within the compartment is determined by the value of coins he deposits in a coin receiver on the inside of the compartment. A light or other warning signal is activated when the user's time has expired. Each compartment in a complex of the same contains means therein for detecting the presence of a user within the compartment, and a signal is provided at a control panel remote from the compartments to indicate whether the compartments are occupied. A signal is also provided at the control panel to indicate those compartments in which a user has stayed overtime, and means are provided for an operator at the control panel to vocally communicate with the users of the compartments.

McLaren et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,594,817, discloses sleeping modules which are of elongated box shape construction with open ends for access. They are about length and width of a single bed and of sufficient height for an occupant to sit upright. The modules assembled in stacks or columns of two or more modules supported one above the other in parallel relation in a supporting framework and arranged in rows together with bathrooms and other accommodations. The sleeping modules are assembled into portable building units which may be used for portable sleeping accommodations at parks, sporting events, and other locations where temporary or permanent inexpensive sleeping accommodations are desired. Additionally, the sleeping modules may be assembled into larger building units or other suitable accommodations to provide facilities for dormitories, barracks, or places of confinement such as correctional institutions. Portable buildings containing sleeping modules are especially useful to provide sleeping accommodations in places where access is limited and conventional sleeping accommodations are difficult to construct. Buildings containing the sleeping modules are especially useful for sleeping accommodations on off shore oil rigs and for sleeping accommodations along highways, e.g. truck stops and the like. Sleeping modules are disclosed which are of elongated box shape construction with open ends for access. They are about length and width of a single bed and of sufficient height for an occupant to sit upright. The modules assembled in stacks or columns of two or more modules supported one above the other in parallel relation in a supporting framework and arranged in rows together with bathrooms and other accommodations. The sleeping modules are assembled into portable building units which may be used for portable sleeping accommodations at parks, sporting events, and other locations where temporary or permanent inexpensive sleeping accommodations are desired. Additionally, the sleeping modules may be assembled into larger building units or other suitable accommodations to provide facilities for dormitories, barracks, or places of confinement such as correctional institutions. Portable buildings containing sleeping modules are especially useful to provide sleeping accommodations in places where access is limited and conventional sleeping accommodations are difficult to construct. Buildings containing the sleeping modules are especially useful for sleeping accommodations on off shore oil rigs and for sleeping accommodations along highways, e.g. truck stops and the like.

Anderson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,707,953, discloses a lightweight, free-standing, expandable shelter that provides protection against chemical and biological agents and against nuclear fallout. The shelter has a frame comprising a series of U-shaped ribs spaced and held parallel by a series of reinforcing members connecting each adjacent pair of ribs on each side of the shelter. A cover made of flexible material which is resistant to chemical and biological agents is attached to the frame. An airtight floor is attached to the cover material so that the shelter can be pressurized to a pressure of about one inch water gauge above ambient pressure, to prevent reverse air flow of contaminated air into the shelter. A blower for pressurizing the shelter and a filter capable of filtering out chemical and biological agents are connected to the shelter. The shelter incorporates an internal chamber which serves as a protective air lock entrance and purge chamber and contains an indicator showing when the air lock has been purged and it is safe to enter main chamber of the shelter. Air lock is pressurized to one-half inch water gauge above ambient pressure to prevent air flow for air lock into main chamber. The main chamber is equipped with a pressure sensing device and indicator lights indicating either high, correct, or low pressure in the shelter and an audible warning device to warn of dangerously low pressure within the shelter.

Hughes et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,706, discloses a controlled-environment entertainment system that comprises a reclining chair entirely enclosed in a sound-proof rectangular enclosure, an audio-visual entertainment system, and a ventilation system. The enclosure is constructed of two modules arranged for quick disengagement. Retractable wheels on the enclosure provide an added measure of mobility.

Avni, U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,792, discloses an eavesdropping-proof room that comprise boundary components that are substantially transparent, at least from one surface thereof, whereby any device implanted therein is immediately visible. Sound dampening devices for aerating closed rooms are also provided, which comprise, optionally in combination with a fan or other device for withdrawing or introducing air, a casing, a number of partitions dividing said casing into various compartments and a number of channels connecting said compartments in such a way as to determine a zigzag path of the air flowing through the device and the withdrawal of a fraction of the air from each compartment, which results in a dampening of sounds carried by such air.

Stogner, U.S. Pat. No. 5,993,216, discloses a fixed or portable multi-functional enclosure that is card-operated, climate controlled, and provides a quiet work place for use by students or businessmen. The enclosure has a generally semi-oval shaped housing comprising a front portion including a front cowling, a central portion with a curved door, and a rear portion with a lower section and a rear lid. The enclosure housing includes three magnetic card readers located on the opaque front cowling, the curved door, and the rear lid. The central portion includes an ergonomically designed seat or chair and a curved console containing a computer monitor. The ergonomically designed seat or chair is tiltable and is dimensionally adjustable up, down, forward, and backward. The console includes a fiber optic camera, a computer monitor, a computer printer, a modem, a facsimile machine, and a phone speaker. Positioned on the console are connection ports for a VOX head phone set and a virtual reality head set. The console also includes two floppy disc drives, one back-up tape drive, and a digital clock displaying day, date, and time. Housed beneath the monitor is a split computer keyboard and a small special function keypad that pulls forward to sit in front of each arm rest and is dimensionally adjustable for typing comfort. The central portion also includes a panel with controls for heat, air, and lights.

Conn, U.S. Pat. No. 6,367,476, discloses a support stand formed from a generally flat sheet of rigid material that has a base member, a generally vertical tube support member extending from the base, and a generally C-shaped portion interposed between the tube support and the base, the tube support having a generally circular edge with a plurality of generally circular notches defined therein. A canopy support member is provided having a generally vertical member with an elongate adjustment member extending therefrom and slidingly and detachably coupled to the tube support, and having a generally horizontal member hingedly attached to the generally vertical member, the generally vertical member having an opening for receiving a tube therethrough, the generally vertical member having at least one stop and the generally horizontal member having at least one surface capable of being positioned in a face to face relationship with and supporting a portion of the surface. A generally transparent canopy is preferably provided draping over the canopy support to form a space thereunder, the canopy having at least one air inlet opening, at least one air outlet opening, and at least one access opening. The horizontal member preferably has a quadrilateral shape with an opening defined therein. Alternatively, the generally horizontal member may be formed by an elongate arm with at least one finger pivotally mounted thereto and/or the apparatus may be provided without the tube support.

Adams, U.S. Pat. No. 6,669,553, discloses a sound proof chamber, and optionally, an electronic surveillance bug proof chamber. Both embodiments comprise a sealed cavity located within all walls, roof, and optionally the floor surfaces of the chamber, which cavity is kept under a Partial Vacuum. The type of chamber which is fabricated is dependent on its intended use. For example, in high level applications, an additional combination of absorbing acoustic, and radio frequency blocking surfacing, and electronic sounds detector can be used to further restrict or detect the transmission of sounds within the enclosure. In lower level applications, the vacuum cavity may have sufficient noise suppression capability. The chamber is preferably manufactured using modular components in an assembly kit form in order to provide the consumer with a variety of chamber shapes, colors and incremental sizes.

Goldberg et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,691,343, discloses a patient-support apparatus that comprises an overhead arm located over a patient support and a mounting assembly coupled to the overhead arm. The mounting assembly has an alignment mechanism and a drive assembly. The drive assembly moves the alignment mechanism and the overhead arm relative to the patient support. The alignment mechanism may be configured to permit adjustment of the overhead arm without movement of the drive assembly. A radiant heater may be coupled to the overhead arm.

The related art discloses controlled environment chambers and particularly chambers for sleeping such as described by Frykman, Mclaren et al, and Rezazadeh above. However, the prior art fails to disclose an apparatus used to convert a standard bed to a fully controlled environment. The present disclosure distinguishes over the prior art providing heretofore unknown advantages as described in the following summary.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below.

A sleeping chamber apparatus for mounting over a bed to isolate a sleeping space from a room environment has a headboard joined to a footboard by a U-shaped enclosure. The enclosure comprises a pair of spaced-apart, vertical side panels joined together and integral with a horizontal cover panel. The headboard, footboard and enclosure fully enclose and seal the sleeping space when the apparatus is positioned over the bed with the headboard positioned at a head of the bed and with the footboard positioned at a foot of the bed, and with the side panels positioned along sides of the bed in contact with an upfacing surface of the bed. A head manifold and a foot manifold bring air into and drive air out of the sleeping space. An air conditioning machine engages with the head manifold drawing in room environment air and delivering conditioned air to the head manifold.

A primary objective inherent in the above described apparatus and method of use is to provide advantages not taught by the prior art.

Another objective is to provide a sleeping environment that is able to be used with standard beds.

A further objective is to control air, sound, illumination, temperature and other parameters in a sleeping space in order to maximize the comfort of a person preparing for sleep.

A still further objective is to provide a custom sleeping environment.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the presently described apparatus and method of its use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Illustrated in the accompanying drawing(s) is at least one of the best mode embodiments of the present invention In such drawing(s):

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the presently described apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view thereof as taken along cutting plane 2-2 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view thereof as taken along cutting plane 3-3 in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The above described drawing figures illustrate the described apparatus and its method of use in at least one of its preferred, best mode embodiment, which is further defined in detail in the following description. Those having ordinary skill in the art may be able to make alterations and modifications to what is described herein without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, it should be understood that what is illustrated is set forth only for the purposes of example and should not be taken as a limitation on the scope of the present apparatus and its method of use.

Described now in detail is a sleeping chamber apparatus as shown in the figures, that mounts over a bed 10 and which isolates a sleeping space 5 from the room environment. The apparatus includes a headboard 20 joined to a footboard 30 by a U-shaped enclosure 40 (inverted U). The enclosure 40 may consist of a pair of spaced-apart, vertical side panels 42 a and 42 b joined together with a horizontal cover panel 44. The enclosure 40 fully encloses, and with the bed 10, defines the sleeping space 5 when the apparatus is positioned over the bed 10. The headboard 20 is positioned at the head of the bed 10 and the footboard 30 is positioned at the foot of the bed 10 but may or may not be joined to it. The side panels 42 a and 42 b are positioned and aligned with sides of the bed and are brought into contact along the mattress, as will be explained.

In an alternate embodiment, the side panels 42 a and 42 b and the cover panel 44 may be replaced by a single U-shaped structure such as might be constructed of formed and shaped sheet plastic. In still another embodiment of the present invention, the U-shaped structure may be made of a flexible fabric that can be stored on one side of the bed 10 and unrolled in tracks on the inwardly facing surfaces of the head and foot boards 42 a, 42 b, and then fastened on the opposing side of the bed 10. Other embodiments of the present concept might be used by those of skill in the art, without diverging from the appended claims presented herein.

An elevation system in the headboard 20 and footboard 30 uses vertical adjustors 25, that is, small motors configured to move vertical screws attached to contact pads which rest on the floor. In this way, the side panels 42 a and 42 b are able to be positioned for contact with the bed 10 when the vertical adjustors 25 lower the apparatus and this allows the sleeping space to be sealed when the access door 80 is closed. In an alternate procedure, the side panels 42 a, 42 b might be hinged to open horizontally into upward positions and then close against the sides of the mattress 10.

The footboard 30 has a motor driven ancillary vent 90 which communicates with the control system 75 a. The ancillary vent 90 is driven to a vent-open position when the air flow rate is below a low set point or when power is lost as detected by the detection system 75 b.

The enclosure 40, when constructed of rigid panels, provides an access door 80 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 to enable a person to enter and exit the sleeping space 5. The access door 80 is mounted on a hinge 82 that allows it to move vertically between an open and a closed position. The closed position of the access door 80 provides a seal for the sleeping space.

A head manifold 50 is mounted within the headboard 20 and joins a head inlet 52 with a head outlet 54 as shown in FIG. 2. Likewise, a foot manifold 60 joins a foot inlet 62 with a foot outlet 64 within the footboard 30. The head outlet 52 and the foot inlet 62 communicate with the sleeping space 5. The head inlet 54 and the foot outlet 64 communicate with the room general room environment. An air conditioning machine 70 is engaged with the head inlet 54 by a duct and draws room air into the head manifold 50 to deliver it to the sleeping space 5. The air conditioning machine 70 as shown in FIG. 2 is shown as a single device, and it may well be, but it may be a series of individual devices set in series connection. In any case, inlet air moves through one or more air conditioning devices before reaching the sleeping space 5. Preferably the air conditioning machine 70 may include an air heater and chiller 72 such as a common air conditioning unit, an air dryer and humidifier 74, also a commercially available piece of equipment, a particle collector 76 such as a filter unit, and a scenting device 77 such as a fragrance emitting apparatus, also well known in commercial equipment. To drive air through the conditioning equipment, an air mover 78, such as a blower, is provided.

As shown in FIG. 4, the environment within the sleeping space 5 is controlled by a control system 75 a utilizing a detection system 75 b. The control system 75 a is preferably a commercial digital environment control system as made by Honeywell Controls, Inc. or an equivalent manufacturer, and is well known in the field. Such a control is wired to each of the elements of the machine 70 and provides set point selection and range adjustment. For instance, one may set the temperature at 72 degrees for sleeping with a maximum of 74 degrees and a minimum of 70 degrees. When the temperature within the sleeping space is within the range of 70-74 degrees, the control system 75 a is inactive, but when the temperature move outside of the set range, the control system 75 a turns on the heater or chiller 72 to bring the temperature back to its nominal set point of 72 degrees. The detection system 75 b is also well known and comprises temperature, humidity, dust level, illumination and sound level sensors, all well known to electrical engineers. The control and detection systems are located within the sleeping space 5 on the headboard 20 within reach of a person reclining in the sleeping space 5. A house alarm system and smoke detection system may be in wave energy communication with the detection system 75 b so as to alert a sleeper to related events as they occur.

A sound system 90, and a lighting system 92 are provided and are also controlled by the control system 75 a. The detection system 75 b preferably has sensors to detect temperature, humidity, particle level, scent level, air flow rate, sound level, illumination level, pressure, input power level, and access door position. The detection system 76 is in signal communication with the control system 74 to allow automatic feedback to manually set temperature level, humidity, particle level, scent level, air pressure level, and air flow rate within the sleeping space. The control system 75 a also includes an alarm system 100 capable of setpoint control and will open the emergency louvers 90 when air flow is too low, power is lost or at other selected conditions.

The control of personal environments are described in Frykman, US 2004/0250481, Rezazadeh, U.S. Pat. No. 3,923,134 and McLaren et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,594,817 which are incorporated herein by reference to provide further details of how the present invention may incorporate environmental selection and stability.

The enablements described in detail above are considered novel over the prior art of record and are considered critical to the operation of at least one aspect of the apparatus and its method of use and to the achievement of the above described objectives. The words used in this specification to describe the instant embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification: structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word or words describing the element.

The definitions of the words or drawing elements described herein are meant to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements described and its various embodiments or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim.

Changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalents within the scope intended and its various embodiments. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. This disclosure is thus meant to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted, and also what incorporates the essential ideas.

The scope of this description is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here, that each named inventor believes that the claimed subject matter is what is intended to be patented. 

1. A sleeping chamber apparatus for mounting over a bed to isolate a sleeping space from a room environment, the apparatus comprising: a headboard joined to a footboard by a U-shaped enclosure; the enclosure comprising a pair of spaced-apart, vertical side panels, the side panels joined together and integral with a horizontal cover panel; the headboard, footboard and enclosure fully enclosing and sealing the sleeping space when the apparatus is positioned over the bed with the headboard positioned at a head of the bed and with the footboard positioned at a foot of the bed, and with the side panels positioned along sides of the bed; the headboard having therein, a head manifold, joining a head inlet with a head outlet, the footboard having therein, a foot manifold joining a foot inlet with a foot outlet; the head outlet and the foot inlet communicating with the sleeping space, the head inlet and the foot outlet communicating with the room environment; a means for lowering the side panels into contact with the bed; and an air conditioning machine engaged with the head inlet, the air conditioning machine having means for drawing room environment air and delivering conditioned air to the head manifold.
 2. The sleeping chamber apparatus of claim 1 wherein the U-shaped enclosure has an access door enabling a person to enter and exit the enclosure.
 3. The sleeping chamber apparatus of claim 2 wherein the access door is mounted on a hinge enabling the access door to move vertically between an open and a closed positions, the closed position sealing the sleeping space.
 4. The sleeping chamber apparatus of claim 1 wherein the air conditioning machine has at least one of a heater, chiller, dryer, humidifier, particle collector, scenting device, and an air mover.
 5. The sleeping chamber apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a control system and a detection system, and at least one of a sound system and a lighting system.
 6. The sleeping chamber apparatus of claim 5 wherein the detection system is in electronic communication for detecting at least one of: temperature, humidity, particle level, scent level, air flow rate, sound level, illumination level, pressure, input power level, access door position, and an external burglar and smoke alarm systems.
 7. The sleeping chamber apparatus of claim 6 wherein the detection system is in signal communication with the control system enabling automatic feedback control to manually set control levels of temperature, humidity, particle level, scent level, air pressure level, and air flow rate within the sleeping space.
 8. The sleeping chamber apparatus of claim 1 wherein the headboard and footboard each have vertical adjustors, the side panels are positioned for contact with the bed when the vertical adjustors lower the apparatus thereby sealing the sleeping space when the access door is closed.
 9. The sleeping chamber apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a motor driven ancillary vent in signal communication with the control system, the ancillary vent driven to a vent-open position when the air flow rate is below a low set point and when power is lost as detected by the detection system.
 10. A sleeping chamber apparatus for mounting over a bed to isolate a sleeping space from a room environment, the apparatus comprising: a headboard joined to a footboard by a U-shaped enclosure; the enclosure conforming to the headboard, footboard and the bed, fully enclosing and sealing the sleeping space when the apparatus is positioned over the bed with the headboard positioned at a head of the bed and with the footboard positioned at the foot of the bed; the headboard having therein, a head manifold, joining a head inlet with a head outlet, the footboard having therein, a foot manifold joining a foot inlet with a foot outlet; the head outlet and the foot inlet communicating with the sleeping space, the head inlet and the foot outlet communicating with the room environment; a means for extracting the U-shaped enclosure from the bed; and an air conditioning machine engaged with the head inlet, the air conditioning machine having means for drawing room environment air and delivering conditioned air to sleeping space through the head manifold.
 11. The sleeping chamber apparatus of claim 1 wherein the air conditioning machine has at least one of a heater, chiller, dryer, humidifier, particle collector, scenting device, and an air mover.
 12. The sleeping chamber apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a control system and a detection system, and at least one of a sound system and a lighting system.
 13. The sleeping chamber apparatus of claim 5 wherein the detection system is in electronic communication for detecting at least one of: temperature, humidity, particle level, scent level, air flow rate, sound level, illumination level, pressure, input power level, and an external burglar and smoke alarm systems.
 14. The sleeping chamber apparatus of claim 6 wherein the detection system is in signal communication with the control system enabling automatic feedback control to manually set control levels of at least one of: temperature, humidity, particle level, scent level, air pressure level, and air flow rate within the sleeping space.
 15. The sleeping chamber apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a motor driven ancillary vent in signal communication with the control system, the ancillary vent driven to a vent-open position when the air flow rate is below a low set point and when power is lost as detected by the detection system. 